Baseball season has arrived -- in Australia, at least.
Aussie fans got to see some of what we're used to Up Above. Included were a rain delay, a wind-blown home run and what passes as a pitching gem in these days.
Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw went all of 6 2/3 innings in a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks in Sydney early this morning (tonight in Australia). I hate to be an old fart, but Juan Marichal and Don Drysdale and Ferguson Jenkins would have spit on a 6 2/3-inning opening game. I'm pretty sure Nolan Ryan still would. And you can't tell me there's no correlation between pitch counts and inning counts and the rash of pitching injuries we're seeing in the 21st century. But that's a topic for another day.
OF Scott Van Slyke hit the wind-blown homer for LA. RF Yasiel Puig, whose has been on the interstate throughout the exhibition games, went 0-for-5. How silly does all that outrage about not putting him in last year's All-Star Game seem now?
The other topic on my soapbox for today is that it's a shame today's (in the U.S.) two games aren't on a more available television outlet than just the MLB Network and mlb.tv. Especially if you're going to take the games to another continent, you owe it to your domestic fan base to get their baseball juices flowing.
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks have another game Sunday afternoon in Australia (10 p.m. EDT tonight), with LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (he's getting good enough that I know can type his name without having to look up which vowels go where) against Arizona RHP Trevor Cahill. You can probably follow it on Gameday. I'll probably check in to see what the simulated hitters' background at Sydney Cricket Grounds looks like.
In a way it's a good thing that I neither have the MLB Network in our Uverse package, nor have mlb.tv for this year yet. I'm supposed to be getting a discounted package as a sometime official scorer, but I haven't heard back on my request. But by being part of the other half for now, I see that it's an injustice to the universe of baseball fans. Does baseball actually think that we wouldn't buy the mlb.tv package if we could get two games from a foreign land relatively for free. What about the other 2,400 or so games this season?
The beginning of the baseball season, on top of everything else in life, also means there's a whole lot I could be writing about that I haven't written yet.
Life has intruded on baseball a lot the last couple of weeks -- nothing bad, just a whole lot of stuff to do. Thus I haven't had or taken the time to write about Reds LHP Aroldis Chapman's frightening injury and a lot of battles for positions, spots in rotations and bullpens and other baseball concerns.
I hope to do a lot more in the next few days, even with three fantasy drafts in Sunday. Can't do that now, because I have a Stars game this afternoon. But there will be more, and I hope a return to a daily blogging schedule.
* * *
Basketball. Our league is in the playoffs, and my team's late-season slide has continued. Through the first 5 of 14 days in the first round, I'm tied 4-4 with the team that finished fourth during the regular season. The reason that I'm tied and not ahead comes down to one word: Shooting. I trail in field goal and free throw percentage, 3-point field goals and points. All shooting.
Today's active players are three big men and G Victor Oladipo. I'm hoping the big guys get plenty of put-back opportunities to improve my 43% shooting, without sucking at the foul line. Even Carmelo Anthony scored just 21 points Friday, when the high scorer among my 10 active players was Amar'e Stoudemire with 22. Belated props (does anyone say that anymore) to Ricky Rubio on his triple double Wednesday. That certainly helped my team in assists and rebounds. I'm also leading in steals and killing in blocks.
Most of the basketball news these days is about the NCAA tournament. I'm in three pick-'em pools and another that pays off for each game after those phony first four. It's like a traditional Super Bowl pool, based on the final score -- with my square representing the same score (I think winner ending in 7, loser ending in 3) for all 66 opportunities, including halftime of the Final Four games. So it's 66 chances to "win" among 100 contestants -- even if winning means getting half of my money back for a first-round win and I think breaking even with a Round of 32 win. I split up the upsets for my pick-'em pools, so that I've had most of the upsets. I don't know whether it will be good to have those evenly distributed among the three or to have one entry heavy with correctly picked upsets. Hedging my bets, I went mostly with chalk in the most expensive pool, figuring that I might not win as much but at least I wouldn't lose as much by playing it safe.
* * *
Hockey. I'm confused about the game limits in my league. While I've been rationing my playing time, the team directly ahead of me in second place already has exceeded the games limit. The only place I've been able to find for a clarification has been a message board on espy.com. I don't expect an answer, and I don't expect to move up in the standings after being in third place for months.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Parade of pitchers trudging toward surgery
Bad news for the Diamondbacks. LHP Patrick Corbin will not be pitching in next weekend's two-game season-opening series in Australia -- and maybe not for quite a while after that. He has been diagnosed with a damaged ulnar collateral ligament.
For their opponents, the Dodgers, OF Carl Crawford will be on paternity leave. He and RHP Dan Haren will not go to Australia.
Corbin left Saturday's start -- expected to be his last before he would pitch the opening game Saturday, March 22 -- in the seventh inning because of a stiff forearm. The UCL is the ligament replaced in Tommy John surgery, and forearm pain is a symptom associated with TJ surgery, so you'll probably want to have a Plan B to replace Corbin on your fantasy team.
And LHP Jonathan Niese, the Mets' planned Opening Day starter, left Sunday's game because of elbow discomfort.
Athletics RHP Jarrod Parker has a tight forearm. By now, you should know the progression: tight forearm > sore elbow > Dr. James Andrews > Tommy John surgery. Parker is scheduled to see Dr. Andrews Monday. Oakland's rotation also will be without RHP A.J. Griffin, who has a strained muscle in his arm and won't throw at all for three weeks. He could return to the rotation in May. An MRI exam showed no structural damage in his elbow. LHP Tommy Milone could be a reasonable replacement for one of them -- but RHP Jesse Chavez, who hasn't been effective even as a reliever, is currently penciled in as the No. 5 starter. Look for a trade, especially if the prospect of Parker and Griffin's return appears bleak a month from now.
Braves RHPs Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy are expected to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss this season. That could put additional pressure on Mike Minor to return quickly despite a sore shoulder.
The Blue Jays expect RHP Casey Janssen, their closer, to be ready for Opening Day. He hasn't pitched in a game this spring because of a sore shoulder, but he is expected to resume throwing soon.
Tigers SS Jose Iglesias will begin the season on the disabled list because of a stress reaction in both shins. An ESPN report indicated that Iglesias has a stress fracture, which could keep him out until mid-season. The candidates to take his place are Hernan Perez, Eugenio Suarez and Danny Worth. A few days ago, I speculated that SS Jimmy Rollins, who apparently has outworn his welcome in Philadelphia, could be a trade target for Detroit. SS Freddy Galvis was in the Phillies' starting lineup Sunday.
The Phils have their own pitching injury problems. LHP Cole Hamels, sidelined by a sore shoulder, tossed 27 pitches in the bullpen Sunday, and could have another 'pen session Wednesday. LHP Cliff Lee, who pitched five scoreless innings against the Red Sox Saturday, could be Philadelphia's Opening Day starter.
Reds RHP Homer Bailey was scratched from Saturday's start because of a strained right groin muscle.
Could it get to the point where the majors use pitching machines, the way they do for T-ball graduates?
Remember when Angels OF Josh Hamilton was on crutches because of a strained calf muscle, but would be playing in a couple of weeks? Well, he still isn't playing. He's scheduled to make his exhibition debut Monday. He's saying he could be ready for Opening Day, but I'm not buying that.
Orioles 3B Manny Machado hasn't run in six days because of scar tissue from off-season surgery on his left knee. He said he could be ready to open the season, but don't expect that either.
Through Saturday, Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki hadn't played since being hit in the left calf by a pitch Wednesday. His injury history is cause for concern.
Playing in Panama, Mariano Rivera's native land, the Bronx Bombers were Bronx Bummers Saturday against four Marlins pitchers (of which you've probably heard of only RHP Steve Cishek, who pitched the sixth inning). They completed a no-hitter, against a lineup somewhat short of what New York will put on the field this season. Oh, and Miami won 5-0. Rod Carew Stadium, built in 1999, is much more luxurious than the stadium in Panama City where I saw the '71 Pirates, eventual World Series champions, lose to Pedro Ramos and the Panamanian All-Stars.
Marlins SS Rafael Furcal has a tight left hamstring.
* * *
Basketball. I covered UFC 171 Saturday night, which meant I finished writing after 1 a.m. and didn't get home until 3. Slept in this morning, but went with my game plan of picking up player(s) whose team is in action Sunday to help in whatever categories I needed for this last week of regular-season competition. I came up with Miles Plumlee (the one from Phoenix), who can get some of the rebounds and points I need, with a reasonable field goal percentage. I "signed" the free agent, and dropped Amar'e Stoudemire, because the Knicks aren't playing today. Then I looked at the lineup, and Plumlee was listed on my bench. Then I realized that it was the lineup for Monday. Because some games already had started by noon CDT, the lineup was locked until tomorrow.
Could be a case of snooze, I lose.
So I will have Plumlee Monday, and may be able to reacquire Stoudemire, who won't play again until Wednesday anyway.
This week's competition is 4-4. I trail by .0022 in field goal percentage, three 3-pointers, 27 rebounds and 21 points as I write this. I also lead by just five assists and six steals. I have seven active players to my opponent's six. My best players going are probably Chris Bosh and Serge Ibaka; it scares me a bit to be playing against James Harden.
Right now, I have the Duke-Virginia game on the TV. How many Plumlees are there, anyway?
* * *
Hockey. It's still kind of a back-and-forth situation, where I gain a point and then lose it back. Still mired in third place with 65 points. Oh, at the moment 65.5 because I picked up half a point in ATOI. On a daily basis, that's almost totally dependent on having more defensemen than forwards, and on not having someone get hurt early in a game.
The league leaders remain out of reach at 89. The second-place team is at 76, but I don't think totally out of reach because his skaters have played 76 games more than mine so he'll run out of games sooner than I will. I'm more concerned that the fourth-place team, currently at 56, could catch me.
I am really beginning to hate fantasy goalies. Steve Mason shut out the Penguins Saturday, and gave up only one goal in the first period Sunday. So I turned on the Flyers-Pittsburgh game, and in the Penguins' first rush up the ice they scored their third goal of the game against Mason. I also saw him in person giving up four goals in about four heartbeats against the Stars, which prompted me to drop him for a while. When Mason hasn't been on my roster, he has been spectacular. And of course, Tim Thomas won a game when I didn't start him, then gave up two third-period goals in a loss Friday when I did start him. Don't get me started on Ben Scrivens or any of the other half-dozen or dozen goalies who have disgraced my roster but played well when they weren't on my team. Hmmm. Let me check on Martin Brodeur again ... His save percentage is no better than the Texas Puckin Penguins', but his GAA is 2.50. I'll have to cogitate on this one.
For their opponents, the Dodgers, OF Carl Crawford will be on paternity leave. He and RHP Dan Haren will not go to Australia.
Corbin left Saturday's start -- expected to be his last before he would pitch the opening game Saturday, March 22 -- in the seventh inning because of a stiff forearm. The UCL is the ligament replaced in Tommy John surgery, and forearm pain is a symptom associated with TJ surgery, so you'll probably want to have a Plan B to replace Corbin on your fantasy team.
And LHP Jonathan Niese, the Mets' planned Opening Day starter, left Sunday's game because of elbow discomfort.
Athletics RHP Jarrod Parker has a tight forearm. By now, you should know the progression: tight forearm > sore elbow > Dr. James Andrews > Tommy John surgery. Parker is scheduled to see Dr. Andrews Monday. Oakland's rotation also will be without RHP A.J. Griffin, who has a strained muscle in his arm and won't throw at all for three weeks. He could return to the rotation in May. An MRI exam showed no structural damage in his elbow. LHP Tommy Milone could be a reasonable replacement for one of them -- but RHP Jesse Chavez, who hasn't been effective even as a reliever, is currently penciled in as the No. 5 starter. Look for a trade, especially if the prospect of Parker and Griffin's return appears bleak a month from now.
Braves RHPs Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy are expected to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss this season. That could put additional pressure on Mike Minor to return quickly despite a sore shoulder.
The Blue Jays expect RHP Casey Janssen, their closer, to be ready for Opening Day. He hasn't pitched in a game this spring because of a sore shoulder, but he is expected to resume throwing soon.
Tigers SS Jose Iglesias will begin the season on the disabled list because of a stress reaction in both shins. An ESPN report indicated that Iglesias has a stress fracture, which could keep him out until mid-season. The candidates to take his place are Hernan Perez, Eugenio Suarez and Danny Worth. A few days ago, I speculated that SS Jimmy Rollins, who apparently has outworn his welcome in Philadelphia, could be a trade target for Detroit. SS Freddy Galvis was in the Phillies' starting lineup Sunday.
The Phils have their own pitching injury problems. LHP Cole Hamels, sidelined by a sore shoulder, tossed 27 pitches in the bullpen Sunday, and could have another 'pen session Wednesday. LHP Cliff Lee, who pitched five scoreless innings against the Red Sox Saturday, could be Philadelphia's Opening Day starter.
Reds RHP Homer Bailey was scratched from Saturday's start because of a strained right groin muscle.
Could it get to the point where the majors use pitching machines, the way they do for T-ball graduates?
Remember when Angels OF Josh Hamilton was on crutches because of a strained calf muscle, but would be playing in a couple of weeks? Well, he still isn't playing. He's scheduled to make his exhibition debut Monday. He's saying he could be ready for Opening Day, but I'm not buying that.
Orioles 3B Manny Machado hasn't run in six days because of scar tissue from off-season surgery on his left knee. He said he could be ready to open the season, but don't expect that either.
Through Saturday, Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki hadn't played since being hit in the left calf by a pitch Wednesday. His injury history is cause for concern.
Playing in Panama, Mariano Rivera's native land, the Bronx Bombers were Bronx Bummers Saturday against four Marlins pitchers (of which you've probably heard of only RHP Steve Cishek, who pitched the sixth inning). They completed a no-hitter, against a lineup somewhat short of what New York will put on the field this season. Oh, and Miami won 5-0. Rod Carew Stadium, built in 1999, is much more luxurious than the stadium in Panama City where I saw the '71 Pirates, eventual World Series champions, lose to Pedro Ramos and the Panamanian All-Stars.
Marlins SS Rafael Furcal has a tight left hamstring.
* * *
Basketball. I covered UFC 171 Saturday night, which meant I finished writing after 1 a.m. and didn't get home until 3. Slept in this morning, but went with my game plan of picking up player(s) whose team is in action Sunday to help in whatever categories I needed for this last week of regular-season competition. I came up with Miles Plumlee (the one from Phoenix), who can get some of the rebounds and points I need, with a reasonable field goal percentage. I "signed" the free agent, and dropped Amar'e Stoudemire, because the Knicks aren't playing today. Then I looked at the lineup, and Plumlee was listed on my bench. Then I realized that it was the lineup for Monday. Because some games already had started by noon CDT, the lineup was locked until tomorrow.
Could be a case of snooze, I lose.
So I will have Plumlee Monday, and may be able to reacquire Stoudemire, who won't play again until Wednesday anyway.
This week's competition is 4-4. I trail by .0022 in field goal percentage, three 3-pointers, 27 rebounds and 21 points as I write this. I also lead by just five assists and six steals. I have seven active players to my opponent's six. My best players going are probably Chris Bosh and Serge Ibaka; it scares me a bit to be playing against James Harden.
Right now, I have the Duke-Virginia game on the TV. How many Plumlees are there, anyway?
* * *
Hockey. It's still kind of a back-and-forth situation, where I gain a point and then lose it back. Still mired in third place with 65 points. Oh, at the moment 65.5 because I picked up half a point in ATOI. On a daily basis, that's almost totally dependent on having more defensemen than forwards, and on not having someone get hurt early in a game.
The league leaders remain out of reach at 89. The second-place team is at 76, but I don't think totally out of reach because his skaters have played 76 games more than mine so he'll run out of games sooner than I will. I'm more concerned that the fourth-place team, currently at 56, could catch me.
I am really beginning to hate fantasy goalies. Steve Mason shut out the Penguins Saturday, and gave up only one goal in the first period Sunday. So I turned on the Flyers-Pittsburgh game, and in the Penguins' first rush up the ice they scored their third goal of the game against Mason. I also saw him in person giving up four goals in about four heartbeats against the Stars, which prompted me to drop him for a while. When Mason hasn't been on my roster, he has been spectacular. And of course, Tim Thomas won a game when I didn't start him, then gave up two third-period goals in a loss Friday when I did start him. Don't get me started on Ben Scrivens or any of the other half-dozen or dozen goalies who have disgraced my roster but played well when they weren't on my team. Hmmm. Let me check on Martin Brodeur again ... His save percentage is no better than the Texas Puckin Penguins', but his GAA is 2.50. I'll have to cogitate on this one.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Lynn Ks 10; Rollins on the block?
Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn gave up five runs in 1 1/3 innings March 7, but more than made up for that Thursday. He allowed only one hit while striking out 10 Braves in four innings of an 11-0 victory. Lynn has more competition for a spot in St. Louis' rotation this year after slipping late in 2013.
-- Teams looking for a shortstop might cast their eyes on the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins. New manager Ryne Sandberg apparently took issue with the fact that Rollins was quoted as saying "Who cares?" about the team's offensive struggles this spring. After he wasn't in the lineup for three days, Sandberg explained himself. Freddy Galvis played shortstop during Rollins' absence. The veteran could be trade bait for a bat at another position. Third base? Outfield? A right-handed-batting first baseman?
One possibility could be a trade to the Tigers. SS Jose Iglesias has been out two weeks because of shin splints. In his place, light-hitting 22-year-old rookie SS Eugenio Suarez has received playing time.
-- After I wrote nice things about the Pirates' lineup, they've stopped hitting for the most part. That makes sense. No team maintains either a very high or very low success rate for very long. Pittsburgh had roughed up Rays LHP Matt Moore the last time he faced the Bucs, but Moore shut them out for 3 1/3 innings in Thursday's 4-1 victory. Pirates RHP Jeanmar Gomez pitched two scoreless innings, but gave up all four runs in the third.
-- The Astros' future was on display in their 7-5 victory over the Blue Jays. Rookie SS Carlos Correa hit two home runs, and 1B Jonathan Singleton had one. Those came against marginal major league pitchers, RHPs Esmil Rogers and Neil Wagner, but still represent a step forward for Houston.-- For openers: RHP Yovani Gallardo will be the Brewers' Opening Day starter. It would be a franchise-record fifth opening assignment.
Injury update
-- Indians DH Jason Giambi will miss the beginning of the season because of a broken rib suffered when a pitch from Cubs RHP Edwin Jackson hit Giambi Friday.
-- RHP Josh Beckett, down to fifth in the Dodgers' rotation, is planning to start Friday even though he has a sprained right thumb. He has been trying to pitch through the injury since a door hit his thumb a week and a half earlier. Beckett gave up three home runs and five runs in three innings Saturday.
His teammate, CF Matt Kemp, definitely will miss LA's first two games in Australia March 22 and 23, and probably won't play in the Dodgers' third game at San Diego March 30. He's recovering from surgery on his left knee and left shoulder.
-- Mariners RHP Taijuan Walker threw off a mound Thursday for the first time since Feb. 28, when he was shut down because of bursitis. He isn't expected to pitch this season until some time in April.
-- Nationals RHP Doug Fister experienced pain in his elbow after playing catch for the third consecutive day. This time he was throwing 120 feet.
-- Athletics RHP Ryan Cook was scheduled for a bullpen session Thursday, but might not be ready by Opening Day because of shoulder inflammation.
-- The battle to become the Mets' first baseman continues, in slow motion. Neither Ike Davis (sore calves) nor Lance Duda (strained hamstring) is active. For now, playing time is going to 29-year-old journeyman 1B/3B Josh Satin.
-- Teams looking for a shortstop might cast their eyes on the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins. New manager Ryne Sandberg apparently took issue with the fact that Rollins was quoted as saying "Who cares?" about the team's offensive struggles this spring. After he wasn't in the lineup for three days, Sandberg explained himself. Freddy Galvis played shortstop during Rollins' absence. The veteran could be trade bait for a bat at another position. Third base? Outfield? A right-handed-batting first baseman?
One possibility could be a trade to the Tigers. SS Jose Iglesias has been out two weeks because of shin splints. In his place, light-hitting 22-year-old rookie SS Eugenio Suarez has received playing time.
-- After I wrote nice things about the Pirates' lineup, they've stopped hitting for the most part. That makes sense. No team maintains either a very high or very low success rate for very long. Pittsburgh had roughed up Rays LHP Matt Moore the last time he faced the Bucs, but Moore shut them out for 3 1/3 innings in Thursday's 4-1 victory. Pirates RHP Jeanmar Gomez pitched two scoreless innings, but gave up all four runs in the third.
-- The Astros' future was on display in their 7-5 victory over the Blue Jays. Rookie SS Carlos Correa hit two home runs, and 1B Jonathan Singleton had one. Those came against marginal major league pitchers, RHPs Esmil Rogers and Neil Wagner, but still represent a step forward for Houston.-- For openers: RHP Yovani Gallardo will be the Brewers' Opening Day starter. It would be a franchise-record fifth opening assignment.
Injury update
-- Indians DH Jason Giambi will miss the beginning of the season because of a broken rib suffered when a pitch from Cubs RHP Edwin Jackson hit Giambi Friday.
-- RHP Josh Beckett, down to fifth in the Dodgers' rotation, is planning to start Friday even though he has a sprained right thumb. He has been trying to pitch through the injury since a door hit his thumb a week and a half earlier. Beckett gave up three home runs and five runs in three innings Saturday.
His teammate, CF Matt Kemp, definitely will miss LA's first two games in Australia March 22 and 23, and probably won't play in the Dodgers' third game at San Diego March 30. He's recovering from surgery on his left knee and left shoulder.
-- Mariners RHP Taijuan Walker threw off a mound Thursday for the first time since Feb. 28, when he was shut down because of bursitis. He isn't expected to pitch this season until some time in April.
-- Nationals RHP Doug Fister experienced pain in his elbow after playing catch for the third consecutive day. This time he was throwing 120 feet.
-- Athletics RHP Ryan Cook was scheduled for a bullpen session Thursday, but might not be ready by Opening Day because of shoulder inflammation.
-- The battle to become the Mets' first baseman continues, in slow motion. Neither Ike Davis (sore calves) nor Lance Duda (strained hamstring) is active. For now, playing time is going to 29-year-old journeyman 1B/3B Josh Satin.
Of Medlen, Tommy John and Santana
Braves RHP Kris Medlen's progression has been easy to project.
The first news over the weekend was that he had a strained forearm. The next word, that he had ligament damage in his elbow. Next, he visited Dr. James Andrews. Now he might seek a second opinion.
Here's how this is going to end: Tommy John surgery. Mark my words.
Give the Braves credit, and give RHP Ervin Santana a couple of million extra dollars, for Atlanta's fast action. The Braves swooped in and signed the free agent away from other key suitors, the Blue Jays and Orioles, for $14 million.
Santana is the greatest beneficiary among the late-signing free agents. Don't you think OF Nelson Cruz today is wishing Jason Heyward had been injured, so the former Ranger would have received more than the $8 million Baltimore is paying him for 2014?
For openers: It's no surprise that LHP David Price will be the Rays' Opening Day starter.
I hope to be back with more baseball later today. I'm also recording tonight's Giants-Rangers game in case I don't watch it live.
* * *
Hockey. I'm in a rut at 65 points. Still in third place, but the teams above me currently are pulling away and the fourth-place team keeps gaining half a point or a point here and there. The worst was when the team in fourth moved ahead of me in penalty minutes. It's just a 3-minute gap now, but I might have to sign someone like Antoine Roussel to get a couple of extra fights in there.
No. 4 is also three goalie wins and 1 1/2 points ahead of me. I outsmarted myself on a Tuesday matchup by not starting newly acquired Tim Thomas. I didn't think, especially coming off the trauma of Monday night's Rich Peverley collapse, that the Stars could win at St. Louis. They and Thomas did win, allowing just two goals in the overtime game.
* * *
Basketball. After losing for the first time since Week 3, 4-3-1 to the second-place team overall, I've fallen behind 5-3 again this week.
I would like to get 100 wins for our regular season, which ends Sunday. I'd need four wins this week to do that. But more than that, I'd prefer not to lose each of the last two weeks going into the playoffs.
It appears that I'll have four players active Thursday, to just two for my opponent. That could help me make up deficits of one 3-pointer and one steal. I wouldn't be in such dire straits if I hadn't neglected to update my lineup Monday -- leaving three active players, including Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire's big game. Looking back, I think I updated my hockey lineup that day and assumed that I'd also made my basketball changes. Let's not do that again.
The first news over the weekend was that he had a strained forearm. The next word, that he had ligament damage in his elbow. Next, he visited Dr. James Andrews. Now he might seek a second opinion.
Here's how this is going to end: Tommy John surgery. Mark my words.
Give the Braves credit, and give RHP Ervin Santana a couple of million extra dollars, for Atlanta's fast action. The Braves swooped in and signed the free agent away from other key suitors, the Blue Jays and Orioles, for $14 million.
Santana is the greatest beneficiary among the late-signing free agents. Don't you think OF Nelson Cruz today is wishing Jason Heyward had been injured, so the former Ranger would have received more than the $8 million Baltimore is paying him for 2014?
For openers: It's no surprise that LHP David Price will be the Rays' Opening Day starter.
I hope to be back with more baseball later today. I'm also recording tonight's Giants-Rangers game in case I don't watch it live.
* * *
Hockey. I'm in a rut at 65 points. Still in third place, but the teams above me currently are pulling away and the fourth-place team keeps gaining half a point or a point here and there. The worst was when the team in fourth moved ahead of me in penalty minutes. It's just a 3-minute gap now, but I might have to sign someone like Antoine Roussel to get a couple of extra fights in there.
No. 4 is also three goalie wins and 1 1/2 points ahead of me. I outsmarted myself on a Tuesday matchup by not starting newly acquired Tim Thomas. I didn't think, especially coming off the trauma of Monday night's Rich Peverley collapse, that the Stars could win at St. Louis. They and Thomas did win, allowing just two goals in the overtime game.
* * *
Basketball. After losing for the first time since Week 3, 4-3-1 to the second-place team overall, I've fallen behind 5-3 again this week.
I would like to get 100 wins for our regular season, which ends Sunday. I'd need four wins this week to do that. But more than that, I'd prefer not to lose each of the last two weeks going into the playoffs.
It appears that I'll have four players active Thursday, to just two for my opponent. That could help me make up deficits of one 3-pointer and one steal. I wouldn't be in such dire straits if I hadn't neglected to update my lineup Monday -- leaving three active players, including Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire's big game. Looking back, I think I updated my hockey lineup that day and assumed that I'd also made my basketball changes. Let's not do that again.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Pirates hitting, but will they join trend toward more steals?
I started this post late Friday night, figuring I could finish it Saturday morning. Well, it's now early Sunday morning. I'll just update what I wrote for the most part.
The Pirates again jumped on an opposing pitcher early Saturday, then held off the Rays to win 10-5. Pittsburgh scored six runs, four earned, against LHP Matt Moore in the first inning, even without CF Andrew McCutchen. C Russell Martin hit a three-run home run, his third this spring, against RHP Grant Balfour, who's supposed to be Tampa Bay's closer this season. The Bucs' final run came against another veteran reliever, RHP Joel Peralta.
Let me summarize some of the rest of the baseball news.
-- Free-agent RHP Ervin Santana reportedly is close to signing with the Blue Jays, but there also are indications that the Orioles could sign him to complete (?) an almost total overhaul of their rotation. One report said he had agreed to a 1-year, $14-million contract with Toronto, which would make Santana less expensive than Phillies RHP A.J. Burnett.
-- Cardinals 2B/3B Matt Carpenter signed a six-year contract for a minimum of $52 million, with an option for 2020. That's truly a contract with vision.
-- Diamondbacks RHP prospect Archie Bradley is 2-0 and hasn't allowed an earned run this spring. He pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday in a 5-2 victory over the Angels.
-- The Mariners hammered the Giants 18-3. SS Brad Miller hit his second homer of the spring. OF Michael Saunders also homered and drove in three runs.
-- White Sox LHP Jose Quintana left Saturday's game after facing just two batters. Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra hit a line drive off Quintana's lower left leg. He's expected to be held out of baseball activities at least for Sunday.
-- Mariners 2B Robinson Cano missed his third consecutive day Saturday because of root canal surgery.
-- Giants OFs Hunter Pence and Michael Morse are listed as day to day and are expected to miss Sunday's split-squad games because of injuries to Pence's left elbow and one of Morse's calf muscles.
-- Nationals RHP Doug Fister said he isn't concerned about the elbow inflammation that caused him to be scratched from starting Friday. Royals RHP Luke Hochevar might not have been concerned at first, either, but now he'll undergo Tommy John surgery and miss this season.
-- For openers: RHP James Shields will start for the Royals on Opening Day.
* * *
I made a crack a couple of days ago about how Oakland OF prospect Billy Burns could be the next John Cangelosi -- that is, a guy from 20-plus years ago who stole quite a few bases but couldn't do much else for a major league team.
I've also been doing some statistical studies, which show that scoring and power are down in the majors.
What I wasn't thinking was how those two pieces of information are interconnected.
Perhaps it took a feature I saw on how Reds OF Billy Hamilton has been bunting to try to get on base more often so he could use his speed to steal bases.
And I went back even farther, more than 50 years to 1962, to recall how Maury Wills revolutionized the running game with the Dodgers. That influence remained strong for most of the next 30 years, until steroids and power hitters began to take over the game.
Let's talk 2014 -- or definitely later in this decade, if the trends continue. With fewer baseballs flying out of parks and fewer runs being scored, teams will be looking to manufacture runs, as they did during the pitching-dominated '60s.
One way to manufacture runs is by stealing bases. So we can expect to see more steals. Hamilton seems ready this season if he can hit at all. Speedsters such as Burns and Delino DeShields Jr. would arrive later in the teens, if at all.
Will they and other base-stealers have increased value. As an aggregate, no. In Rotisserie (R) League scoring, there still are a finite number of points and dollars of value. More stolen bases mean less value for each steal. If teams do go toward Hamilton/Burns/DeShields-type players, we could see an influx of even more of them, as we did with players such as Vince Coleman, Willie Wilson and Rickey Henderson 30-40 years ago.
There will be more 50-base stealers. Each one of them will have less relative value from base-stealing than Jacoby Ellsbury did with his major league-high 52 bags last year.
That doesn't mean that you shouldn't go after such players. If there are, let's say, eight 50-stolen-base guys in the majors, you'll want one of them and not the ninth-best base stealer. What you won't want would be a bunch of high-power, zero-steals players.
* * *
Hockey. I had just two players active Friday night. The Texas Puckin Penguins lost half a point by dropping into a tie for second in power play points. On Saturday, my team dropped another half a point, to third place, in PPP, and lost half a point in wins. I'm down to 66. The fourth-place team added 1 1/2 points on its own, leaving my margin over that owner to 12 1/2 points.
The good news is that my players now have accumulated fewer games than the two teams ahead of me. I should be able to have more players in my lineup than they do during the last few weeks of the season. I doubt that would help me to move up even to second place.
* * *
Basketball. Team Fresh Prints managed to increase its lead to 6-2 after Thursday's games. Gerald Green would have been practically a one-man wrecking crew -- with 44 points and high totals in the two categories I needed most, 3-pointers and steals -- if his 55% field goal shooting hadn't been the worst of any of my players for the night. On Friday, my opponent had several more players in action than I did, and I fell behind in steals to lead just 5-3. I thought I had posted Friday's lineup after the Thursday game, but apparently not. I just noticed three active players on my bench, highlighted (or lowlighted, in this case) by Jose Calderon's 19 points.
I set my lineups for the final two days of this week. After Saturday, I'll waive two players who will be on the court that night, and grab two free agents so I'll have a full active roster of 10 on Sunday. I'm not going to tell you whom I'll add. Wouldn't want to jinx it or tip off anybody.
Saturday's games came and went, and my lead still is 5-3. I will have a full complement of 10 players Sunday, after re-signing free agents Jared Sullinger and Jodie Meeks to replace Boris Diaw and Marco Belinelli.
The Pirates again jumped on an opposing pitcher early Saturday, then held off the Rays to win 10-5. Pittsburgh scored six runs, four earned, against LHP Matt Moore in the first inning, even without CF Andrew McCutchen. C Russell Martin hit a three-run home run, his third this spring, against RHP Grant Balfour, who's supposed to be Tampa Bay's closer this season. The Bucs' final run came against another veteran reliever, RHP Joel Peralta.
Let me summarize some of the rest of the baseball news.
-- Free-agent RHP Ervin Santana reportedly is close to signing with the Blue Jays, but there also are indications that the Orioles could sign him to complete (?) an almost total overhaul of their rotation. One report said he had agreed to a 1-year, $14-million contract with Toronto, which would make Santana less expensive than Phillies RHP A.J. Burnett.
-- Cardinals 2B/3B Matt Carpenter signed a six-year contract for a minimum of $52 million, with an option for 2020. That's truly a contract with vision.
-- Diamondbacks RHP prospect Archie Bradley is 2-0 and hasn't allowed an earned run this spring. He pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday in a 5-2 victory over the Angels.
-- The Mariners hammered the Giants 18-3. SS Brad Miller hit his second homer of the spring. OF Michael Saunders also homered and drove in three runs.
-- White Sox LHP Jose Quintana left Saturday's game after facing just two batters. Diamondbacks OF Gerardo Parra hit a line drive off Quintana's lower left leg. He's expected to be held out of baseball activities at least for Sunday.
-- Mariners 2B Robinson Cano missed his third consecutive day Saturday because of root canal surgery.
-- Giants OFs Hunter Pence and Michael Morse are listed as day to day and are expected to miss Sunday's split-squad games because of injuries to Pence's left elbow and one of Morse's calf muscles.
-- Nationals RHP Doug Fister said he isn't concerned about the elbow inflammation that caused him to be scratched from starting Friday. Royals RHP Luke Hochevar might not have been concerned at first, either, but now he'll undergo Tommy John surgery and miss this season.
-- For openers: RHP James Shields will start for the Royals on Opening Day.
* * *
I made a crack a couple of days ago about how Oakland OF prospect Billy Burns could be the next John Cangelosi -- that is, a guy from 20-plus years ago who stole quite a few bases but couldn't do much else for a major league team.
I've also been doing some statistical studies, which show that scoring and power are down in the majors.
What I wasn't thinking was how those two pieces of information are interconnected.
Perhaps it took a feature I saw on how Reds OF Billy Hamilton has been bunting to try to get on base more often so he could use his speed to steal bases.
And I went back even farther, more than 50 years to 1962, to recall how Maury Wills revolutionized the running game with the Dodgers. That influence remained strong for most of the next 30 years, until steroids and power hitters began to take over the game.
Let's talk 2014 -- or definitely later in this decade, if the trends continue. With fewer baseballs flying out of parks and fewer runs being scored, teams will be looking to manufacture runs, as they did during the pitching-dominated '60s.
One way to manufacture runs is by stealing bases. So we can expect to see more steals. Hamilton seems ready this season if he can hit at all. Speedsters such as Burns and Delino DeShields Jr. would arrive later in the teens, if at all.
Will they and other base-stealers have increased value. As an aggregate, no. In Rotisserie (R) League scoring, there still are a finite number of points and dollars of value. More stolen bases mean less value for each steal. If teams do go toward Hamilton/Burns/DeShields-type players, we could see an influx of even more of them, as we did with players such as Vince Coleman, Willie Wilson and Rickey Henderson 30-40 years ago.
There will be more 50-base stealers. Each one of them will have less relative value from base-stealing than Jacoby Ellsbury did with his major league-high 52 bags last year.
That doesn't mean that you shouldn't go after such players. If there are, let's say, eight 50-stolen-base guys in the majors, you'll want one of them and not the ninth-best base stealer. What you won't want would be a bunch of high-power, zero-steals players.
* * *
Hockey. I had just two players active Friday night. The Texas Puckin Penguins lost half a point by dropping into a tie for second in power play points. On Saturday, my team dropped another half a point, to third place, in PPP, and lost half a point in wins. I'm down to 66. The fourth-place team added 1 1/2 points on its own, leaving my margin over that owner to 12 1/2 points.
The good news is that my players now have accumulated fewer games than the two teams ahead of me. I should be able to have more players in my lineup than they do during the last few weeks of the season. I doubt that would help me to move up even to second place.
* * *
Basketball. Team Fresh Prints managed to increase its lead to 6-2 after Thursday's games. Gerald Green would have been practically a one-man wrecking crew -- with 44 points and high totals in the two categories I needed most, 3-pointers and steals -- if his 55% field goal shooting hadn't been the worst of any of my players for the night. On Friday, my opponent had several more players in action than I did, and I fell behind in steals to lead just 5-3. I thought I had posted Friday's lineup after the Thursday game, but apparently not. I just noticed three active players on my bench, highlighted (or lowlighted, in this case) by Jose Calderon's 19 points.
I set my lineups for the final two days of this week. After Saturday, I'll waive two players who will be on the court that night, and grab two free agents so I'll have a full active roster of 10 on Sunday. I'm not going to tell you whom I'll add. Wouldn't want to jinx it or tip off anybody.
Saturday's games came and went, and my lead still is 5-3. I will have a full complement of 10 players Sunday, after re-signing free agents Jared Sullinger and Jodie Meeks to replace Boris Diaw and Marco Belinelli.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Can Seattle, Miami or KC break through? What about Moustakas?
Wow! It has been a week since my last post.
My reasons (excuses?) are a busy weekend covering two Stars games, a Mavericks game and a rodeo; a cold and a migraine, and, most important, getting the three fantasy leagues I run back in shape.
Inner League Baseball, started in 1979, calls for fan-chise owners to have their rosters frozen from March 8 (this year) to March 20 to prepare for the draft on the 23rd. I hadn't updated the draft order or each owner's financial status (some $3,000 still to collect), or sent out a ballot for proposed rules changes, or provided a list of the top players in each of the nine statistical categories we use.
If you're interested in joining a league, leave in the comments section your contact information or a request for mine.
Anyway, here are some highlights of what has been going on in baseball.
The exhibition standings don't mean a lot. But I do think there is value in a poor team's being able to (or learning to) win.
The current top teams are two of last season's breakout teams, the Indians and Pirates, at 6-1. Teams to watch going forward are the Mariners (6-2), and Marlins and Royals (both 5-2). I'll have an eye on them, because I don't think much of any of their chances. If I had to pick one team to do well out of those three, it would be the Royals. But do they really have a chance to finish ahead of the Tigers? Or of a phalanx of potential wild cards in the other AL divisions that will include whatever teams don't lead their division out of the Red Sox, Rays, Orioles, Athletics, Rangers and Angels.
You can pretty much be sure that the Braves (1-6) and Red Sox (1-5) will finish ahead of Seattle, Miami and Kansas City during the regular season.
Speaking of the Pirates, Wednesday's win was a good one, 6-4 over Toronto. They scored five runs in three innings against Blue Jays RHP Brandon Morrow, who is a proven major leaguer but might still have arm trouble. OF Travis Snider was 3-for-3, including a homer against Morrow. It's also a good sign that Pittsburgh scored early, with its starters and mostly major leaguers in the lineup. And it was a lineup that included journeyman CF Chris Dickerson instead of MVP Andrew McCutchen.
Speaking of award winners, Detroit RHP Max Scherzer was impressive in a 3-0, three-hit victory over -- oh, well, it was just the Astros. He allowed one hit and struck out three in three innings. I don't believe the game log is correct in indicating that he threw just 16 pitches, all strikes. That would mean his strikeouts all were on three pitches and every other batter saw only one pitch.
Back to the Indians. They defeated the Mariners 8-5 with three runs in the top of the ninth against RHP Danny Farquhar. Even though most major leaguers had left the field by then, Farquhar did close some games for Seattle last season. And Cleveland's first run scored on a double by SS prospect Francisco Lindor.
Seattle's new closer, RHP Fernando Rodney, is expected to make his spring debut Thursday.
There was a pitching matchup you'd like to see during the regular season. The Padres sent RHP Andrew Cashner against White Sox LHP Chris Sale. It was no contest. San Diego scored four first-inning runs, three on C Nick Hundley's home run, on the way to winning 8-0.
Giants RHP Matt Cain had the upper hand over Angels RHP Jered Weaver as San Francisco won 3-2.
The Phillies and Braves honored the late Jim Fregosi before their game in Clearwater, Fla. Then, not in the tradition of Fregosi or baseball, the teams went home after nine innings even though the score was tied 2-2.
The situation was the same in the Marlins-Mets game, except that they played a 10th inning and Miami won 5-2. Guys you never heard of put the Marlins in the winners' circle. Doubles by Mark Canha and Brent Keys drove in the 10th-inning runs, Michael Brady was the winning pitcher and LHP James Leverton earned the save. He threw three ground balls, including a game-ending double-play grounder after C Travis d'Arnaud reached on an error.
Leverton's is a story of perseverance. The Cubs drafted him out of Texas Tech in 2008, three years after he and Giants OF Roger Kieschnick led Rockwall High School to the Texas state championship game. After Chicago released Leverton, he pitched in independent ball before signing with Miami, and made it to Triple-A for the first time last season.
* * *
Statistical leaders. Among them are Royals 3B Mike Moustakas with three home runs and 10 RBI; Padres 1B Tommy Medica with a .556 average; Orioles RHP Chris Tillman, Rockies LHP Franklin Morales and Athletics RHP Jesse Chavez (?!) with two wins in two starts; Diamondbacks fragile RHP Brandon McCarthy with nine innings pitched in two starts (see below); D-backs RHP Josh Collmenter with three saves; Dodgers RHP SB with eight strikeouts, and Athletics rookie OF Billy Burns with seven stolen bases.Tigers rookie 3B/OF Nick Castellanos has seven RBI in his first 14 at-bats.
This information doesn't have any binding relevance, but it could signal that Moustakas is ready to make the kind of leap forward that 1B Eric Hosmer did in 2013 and that if Medica's for real, he or 1B Yonder Alonso could be trade bait. Morales could win a spot in Colorado's rotation. Collmenter's performance could be a fluke, or he could step into an unsettled closer's job. Burns has a chance to become another John Cangelosi. For Rosin, for now I'll resist the urge to write his name as RHP Seth Rosin (Bag) or to make "up Brainerd" jokes about the native of Fargo, N.Dak.
* * *
Pitchers. Can't live without them, can't kill them. The six-innings-is-enough mentality really bothers me. Teams are doing little or nothing to stop its insidious spread. Inside of pitching three innings in their first spring start, which used to be the norm, starters are down to two, sometimes for their first TWO spring starts. Royals RHP James Shields worked only one inning, 10 pitches, in his spring debut. And, as it happens, Yankees RHP Masanori Tanaka, Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander are scheduled to make their first start Thursday.
I'd set the over and under on the season's first nine-inning complete game at May 15. I'm figuring it might be closer to June 1.
Hold the phone! Dodgers LHP Hyun-jin Ryu pitched four whole innings Wednesday night.
* * *
Player moves. The Rangers, possibly down two left-handers in their season-opening rotation, signed free-agent LHP Joe Saunders. He could receive $1.5 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. Better news for Texas was that LHP Matt Harrison (sore back) returned to throw 38 pitches off a mound Wednesday.
The Orioles made yet another 11th-hour pitching move, signing LHP Johan Santana. The 34-year-old could start or pitch out of the bullpen, but isn't expected to be ready to return from shoulder surgery before June.
OF/1B Rick Ankiel has retired, so you can scratch him off your cheat sheet.
* * *
Injury news. Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig left Wednesday night's game because of a sore upper back, but is expected to play Thursday. His teammate, RHP Zack Greinke, threw off a mound for the first time since suffering a strained right calf muscle six days earlier.
Reds RHP Mat Latos threw off a mound 19 days after undergoing knee surgery.
Rockies OF/1B Michael Cuddyer was hit by a pitch on a shoulder blade Wednesday, but his injury wasn't considered serious.
With Tigers OF Andy Dirks expected to be out until June following back surgery, OF/3B Don Kelly is the most likely candidate to platoon with OF Rajai Davis in left field. The injury also could be good news for Davis' fantasy owners, who now will see even more chances for him to steal bases if he occasionally could reach base against right-handed pitchers.
Yankees 1B/DH Mark Teixeira, who missed most of last season because of a wrist injury, and OF Alfonso Soriano, who has been sidelined by the flu, are expected to make their debuts Thursday.
Diamondbacks RHP Bronson Arroyo, scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday, underwent an MRI exam and received an epidural injection Wednesday for what was diagnosed as a herniated disk.
Royals RHP Luke Hochevar, who became a valuable bullpen piece last year, is expected to be out until late May because of a sprained right elbow.
I hope this information made up for some lost time.
* * *
Hockey. I'm still stuck on 67 points and in third place (now 8 points out of second), and still having problems with my goalies. Twice this week I have played the Capitals' Braden Holtby against the Flyers' Steve Mason. I did get two wins out of those games, but they allowed a total of 17 goals -- and didn't even play all 60 minutes. As soon as I heard about Ryan Miller's trade to the Blues and tried to reacquire him, but saw that he was on the first-place team's roster. It's quite possible that the owner just reacted faster than I did. He has made nearly 60 moves this season, and has 88 points to show for it.
Wednesday's trade deadline brought some remarkable deals. Imagine a Derek Jeter-for-Dustin Pedroia trade. That's pretty much what the Rangers did in sending captain Ryan Callahan to the Lightning for captain Martin St. Louis. Another interesting move was the Stars' trading goalie Dan Ellis to Florida for goalie Tim Thomas. Dallas picked up a playoff-tested goalie who can provide a better option and allow starter Kari Lehtonen to rest more often down the stretch. Thomas Vanek remains on my team even though he was traded to his third team this season (the Canadiens). These trades will make the final six-week run to the playoffs more interesting.
* * *
Basketball. With another week after this, I have clinched first place in the regular season.
Congratulations to me, but I'm in a dogfight this week. That's significant because my opponent this week is the owner leading our league's other division and second overall 17 1/2 games behind me. So he's quite likely to be my opponent if we both reach the finals -- or a difficult semifinal opponent.
This week it's 4-4. Though I trail by just three 3-pointers and two steals, but my leads in the shooting percentages are tenuous. Congratulations to Joakim Noah for another (barely) triple double -- 10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists. If only he could block more shots or, this week, get more steals.
My reasons (excuses?) are a busy weekend covering two Stars games, a Mavericks game and a rodeo; a cold and a migraine, and, most important, getting the three fantasy leagues I run back in shape.
Inner League Baseball, started in 1979, calls for fan-chise owners to have their rosters frozen from March 8 (this year) to March 20 to prepare for the draft on the 23rd. I hadn't updated the draft order or each owner's financial status (some $3,000 still to collect), or sent out a ballot for proposed rules changes, or provided a list of the top players in each of the nine statistical categories we use.
If you're interested in joining a league, leave in the comments section your contact information or a request for mine.
Anyway, here are some highlights of what has been going on in baseball.
The exhibition standings don't mean a lot. But I do think there is value in a poor team's being able to (or learning to) win.
The current top teams are two of last season's breakout teams, the Indians and Pirates, at 6-1. Teams to watch going forward are the Mariners (6-2), and Marlins and Royals (both 5-2). I'll have an eye on them, because I don't think much of any of their chances. If I had to pick one team to do well out of those three, it would be the Royals. But do they really have a chance to finish ahead of the Tigers? Or of a phalanx of potential wild cards in the other AL divisions that will include whatever teams don't lead their division out of the Red Sox, Rays, Orioles, Athletics, Rangers and Angels.
You can pretty much be sure that the Braves (1-6) and Red Sox (1-5) will finish ahead of Seattle, Miami and Kansas City during the regular season.
Speaking of the Pirates, Wednesday's win was a good one, 6-4 over Toronto. They scored five runs in three innings against Blue Jays RHP Brandon Morrow, who is a proven major leaguer but might still have arm trouble. OF Travis Snider was 3-for-3, including a homer against Morrow. It's also a good sign that Pittsburgh scored early, with its starters and mostly major leaguers in the lineup. And it was a lineup that included journeyman CF Chris Dickerson instead of MVP Andrew McCutchen.
Speaking of award winners, Detroit RHP Max Scherzer was impressive in a 3-0, three-hit victory over -- oh, well, it was just the Astros. He allowed one hit and struck out three in three innings. I don't believe the game log is correct in indicating that he threw just 16 pitches, all strikes. That would mean his strikeouts all were on three pitches and every other batter saw only one pitch.
Back to the Indians. They defeated the Mariners 8-5 with three runs in the top of the ninth against RHP Danny Farquhar. Even though most major leaguers had left the field by then, Farquhar did close some games for Seattle last season. And Cleveland's first run scored on a double by SS prospect Francisco Lindor.
Seattle's new closer, RHP Fernando Rodney, is expected to make his spring debut Thursday.
There was a pitching matchup you'd like to see during the regular season. The Padres sent RHP Andrew Cashner against White Sox LHP Chris Sale. It was no contest. San Diego scored four first-inning runs, three on C Nick Hundley's home run, on the way to winning 8-0.
Giants RHP Matt Cain had the upper hand over Angels RHP Jered Weaver as San Francisco won 3-2.
The Phillies and Braves honored the late Jim Fregosi before their game in Clearwater, Fla. Then, not in the tradition of Fregosi or baseball, the teams went home after nine innings even though the score was tied 2-2.
The situation was the same in the Marlins-Mets game, except that they played a 10th inning and Miami won 5-2. Guys you never heard of put the Marlins in the winners' circle. Doubles by Mark Canha and Brent Keys drove in the 10th-inning runs, Michael Brady was the winning pitcher and LHP James Leverton earned the save. He threw three ground balls, including a game-ending double-play grounder after C Travis d'Arnaud reached on an error.
Leverton's is a story of perseverance. The Cubs drafted him out of Texas Tech in 2008, three years after he and Giants OF Roger Kieschnick led Rockwall High School to the Texas state championship game. After Chicago released Leverton, he pitched in independent ball before signing with Miami, and made it to Triple-A for the first time last season.
* * *
Statistical leaders. Among them are Royals 3B Mike Moustakas with three home runs and 10 RBI; Padres 1B Tommy Medica with a .556 average; Orioles RHP Chris Tillman, Rockies LHP Franklin Morales and Athletics RHP Jesse Chavez (?!) with two wins in two starts; Diamondbacks fragile RHP Brandon McCarthy with nine innings pitched in two starts (see below); D-backs RHP Josh Collmenter with three saves; Dodgers RHP SB with eight strikeouts, and Athletics rookie OF Billy Burns with seven stolen bases.Tigers rookie 3B/OF Nick Castellanos has seven RBI in his first 14 at-bats.
This information doesn't have any binding relevance, but it could signal that Moustakas is ready to make the kind of leap forward that 1B Eric Hosmer did in 2013 and that if Medica's for real, he or 1B Yonder Alonso could be trade bait. Morales could win a spot in Colorado's rotation. Collmenter's performance could be a fluke, or he could step into an unsettled closer's job. Burns has a chance to become another John Cangelosi. For Rosin, for now I'll resist the urge to write his name as RHP Seth Rosin (Bag) or to make "up Brainerd" jokes about the native of Fargo, N.Dak.
* * *
Pitchers. Can't live without them, can't kill them. The six-innings-is-enough mentality really bothers me. Teams are doing little or nothing to stop its insidious spread. Inside of pitching three innings in their first spring start, which used to be the norm, starters are down to two, sometimes for their first TWO spring starts. Royals RHP James Shields worked only one inning, 10 pitches, in his spring debut. And, as it happens, Yankees RHP Masanori Tanaka, Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander are scheduled to make their first start Thursday.
I'd set the over and under on the season's first nine-inning complete game at May 15. I'm figuring it might be closer to June 1.
Hold the phone! Dodgers LHP Hyun-jin Ryu pitched four whole innings Wednesday night.
* * *
Player moves. The Rangers, possibly down two left-handers in their season-opening rotation, signed free-agent LHP Joe Saunders. He could receive $1.5 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. Better news for Texas was that LHP Matt Harrison (sore back) returned to throw 38 pitches off a mound Wednesday.
The Orioles made yet another 11th-hour pitching move, signing LHP Johan Santana. The 34-year-old could start or pitch out of the bullpen, but isn't expected to be ready to return from shoulder surgery before June.
OF/1B Rick Ankiel has retired, so you can scratch him off your cheat sheet.
* * *
Injury news. Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig left Wednesday night's game because of a sore upper back, but is expected to play Thursday. His teammate, RHP Zack Greinke, threw off a mound for the first time since suffering a strained right calf muscle six days earlier.
Reds RHP Mat Latos threw off a mound 19 days after undergoing knee surgery.
Rockies OF/1B Michael Cuddyer was hit by a pitch on a shoulder blade Wednesday, but his injury wasn't considered serious.
With Tigers OF Andy Dirks expected to be out until June following back surgery, OF/3B Don Kelly is the most likely candidate to platoon with OF Rajai Davis in left field. The injury also could be good news for Davis' fantasy owners, who now will see even more chances for him to steal bases if he occasionally could reach base against right-handed pitchers.
Yankees 1B/DH Mark Teixeira, who missed most of last season because of a wrist injury, and OF Alfonso Soriano, who has been sidelined by the flu, are expected to make their debuts Thursday.
Diamondbacks RHP Bronson Arroyo, scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday, underwent an MRI exam and received an epidural injection Wednesday for what was diagnosed as a herniated disk.
Royals RHP Luke Hochevar, who became a valuable bullpen piece last year, is expected to be out until late May because of a sprained right elbow.
I hope this information made up for some lost time.
* * *
Hockey. I'm still stuck on 67 points and in third place (now 8 points out of second), and still having problems with my goalies. Twice this week I have played the Capitals' Braden Holtby against the Flyers' Steve Mason. I did get two wins out of those games, but they allowed a total of 17 goals -- and didn't even play all 60 minutes. As soon as I heard about Ryan Miller's trade to the Blues and tried to reacquire him, but saw that he was on the first-place team's roster. It's quite possible that the owner just reacted faster than I did. He has made nearly 60 moves this season, and has 88 points to show for it.
Wednesday's trade deadline brought some remarkable deals. Imagine a Derek Jeter-for-Dustin Pedroia trade. That's pretty much what the Rangers did in sending captain Ryan Callahan to the Lightning for captain Martin St. Louis. Another interesting move was the Stars' trading goalie Dan Ellis to Florida for goalie Tim Thomas. Dallas picked up a playoff-tested goalie who can provide a better option and allow starter Kari Lehtonen to rest more often down the stretch. Thomas Vanek remains on my team even though he was traded to his third team this season (the Canadiens). These trades will make the final six-week run to the playoffs more interesting.
* * *
Basketball. With another week after this, I have clinched first place in the regular season.
Congratulations to me, but I'm in a dogfight this week. That's significant because my opponent this week is the owner leading our league's other division and second overall 17 1/2 games behind me. So he's quite likely to be my opponent if we both reach the finals -- or a difficult semifinal opponent.
This week it's 4-4. Though I trail by just three 3-pointers and two steals, but my leads in the shooting percentages are tenuous. Congratulations to Joakim Noah for another (barely) triple double -- 10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists. If only he could block more shots or, this week, get more steals.
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